Our quick picks on a budget
Live prices from our store. All 7.4kW, all smart, all ready to order today.
Evec VEC01
Full smart features, OCPP 1.6J and IP65 at the lowest price we stock.
VCHRGD Seven Pro (untethered)
Confirmed Octopus-compatible, with built-in PEN fault protection and a CT clamp in the box.
Indra Smart PRO
On both smart-tariff compatible lists, with solar compatibility, so switching supplier later is painless.
Free UK delivery · full manufacturer warranty · advice on 0330 043 8012
Finding the cheapest EV charger in the UK doesn't mean compromising on quality. Since 2021, every home charger sold in the UK must be a smart charger by law — so even the most affordable units include app control, scheduled charging, and energy monitoring.
We've compared every budget home EV charger available today and ranked them by price. All prices on this page update automatically from our store, so you're always seeing the latest figures.
Quick comparison: cheapest EV chargers at a glance
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the most affordable 7kW home EV chargers you can buy in the UK right now. Prices are pulled live from our store.
| Charger | Type | Power | Price | Smart Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evec VEC01 | Untethered | 7.4kW | £312 | App, scheduling, OCPP |
| Evec VEC03 | Tethered (5m) | 7.4kW | £357 | App, scheduling, OCPP |
| VCHRGD Seven Pro | Untethered | 7.4kW | £380 | App, scheduling, OCPP |
| Rolec EVO | Untethered | 7.4kW | £409 | App, scheduling, OCPP |
| Indra Smart PRO | Untethered | 7.4kW | £435 | App, scheduling, solar |
| Cord Zero | Untethered | 7.4kW | £435 | App, scheduling, OCPP |
| Pod Point Solo 3S | Untethered | 7.4kW | £465 | App, scheduling |
| NexBlue Point 2 | Untethered | 7.4kW | £485 | App, scheduling, OCPP |
Best value: Evec VEC01 — from £312
The Evec VEC01 is consistently the cheapest smart home EV charger you can buy in the UK. Despite the low price, it ticks every box: app-controlled scheduling, energy monitoring, OCPP 1.6J compatibility, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It's an untethered unit, so you supply your own Type 2 cable — which also means you can upgrade or replace the cable independently.
Build quality is solid for the price, with an IP65 weatherproof rating suitable for outdoor installation. It's a compact, no-fuss charger that does exactly what a home charger needs to do.
Best for: Buyers who want the lowest upfront cost with full smart features.
Best cheap tethered charger: Evec VEC03 — from £357
The Evec VEC03 is the tethered version of the VEC01, with a permanently attached 5-metre Type 2 cable. If you prefer the convenience of grabbing a cable and plugging straight in — without keeping a separate cable in your boot — this is the cheapest way to do it.
Functionally identical to the VEC01 in terms of smart features, app control, and OCPP compatibility. The 5-metre cable is long enough for most driveways.
Best for: Drivers who want plug-and-go convenience at the lowest tethered price.
VCHRGD Seven Pro — from £380
The VCHRGD Seven Pro is a strong option just above the Evec in price, and the cheapest charger we stock that is confirmed compatible with Intelligent Octopus Go. It includes built-in PEN fault protection and a 120A CT clamp in the box, both of which can save money at installation.
Also available as a tethered version with a 7.5m cable for £446.
Best for: Octopus customers on a budget, and installs where PEN fault protection would otherwise add cost.
Rolec EVO — from £409
Rolec is one of the most established EV charger manufacturers in the UK, with units installed across commercial and residential sites. The EVO is their entry-level home charger — simple, reliable, and backed by a well-known brand.
One thing to note: Rolec chargers are not currently supported by Intelligent Octopus Go or OVO Charge Anytime, so if you want the tariff to schedule charging automatically, look at the VCHRGD or Indra instead.
Best for: Buyers who want an established brand at a budget-friendly price.
Indra Smart PRO — from £435
The Indra Smart PRO stands out in this price bracket because of its solar compatibility. If you have (or plan to get) solar panels, the Indra can prioritise charging from your excess solar generation — reducing your electricity costs even further.
It is also the only charger at this price that appears on both the Octopus Intelligent Go and OVO Charge Anytime compatible lists, so switching supplier later will not strand it on manual timers.
Best for: Homeowners with solar panels, and anyone who may switch between the Octopus and OVO tariffs.
Cord Zero — from £435
The Cord Zero is one of the better-looking budget chargers, available in two colour options to match your property. It's a well-rounded unit with OCPP 1.6J support, app control, and all the smart features you'd expect — and like the Indra, it appears on both the Octopus and OVO compatibility lists.
Also available as a tethered version from £499: Cord Zero Tethered (Black) or Cord Zero Tethered (White).
Best for: Buyers who care about aesthetics and want a charger that looks good on the wall.
Pod Point Solo 3S — from £465
Pod Point is one of the most recognisable EV charging brands in the UK, with a huge public network. The Solo 3S is their home charger — compact, well-designed, and backed by strong app support and customer service.
The Pod Point app is polished and easy to use, with clear energy monitoring and scheduling. Note that Pod Point is not on either the Octopus Intelligent Go or OVO Charge Anytime compatible list, so tariff scheduling has to be set manually in the app.
Best for: Drivers who already use the Pod Point network and want a familiar experience at home.
NexBlue Point 2 — from £485
The NexBlue Point 2 rounds out the sub-£500 bracket. It's a solid, well-featured charger with OCPP 1.6J support, app control, EcoPilot cost optimisation and dynamic load balancing — and it is on the Intelligent Octopus Go compatible list.
Best for: Buyers who want a sub-£500 charger with full OCPP compliance for future-proofing.
Tethered vs untethered — which is cheaper?
Untethered chargers are almost always cheaper. The difference is typically £45–£70 between the same model in untethered and tethered versions. Here's a quick comparison:
| Charger | Untethered Price | Tethered Price | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evec | £312 (VEC01) | £357 (VEC03) | ~£45 |
| VCHRGD Seven Pro | £380 | £446 | ~£66 |
However, if you go untethered you'll need to buy a Type 2 charging cable separately (typically £105–£170). So the real saving depends on whether you already own a cable. Most new EV owners will have a cable that came with their car.
How the OZEV grant reduces your cost
The EV Chargepoint Grant (formerly the OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme) pays 75% of the cost of buying and installing a home EV charger, up to £500 per socket (raised from £350 on 1 April 2026). The grant applies to the total cost of the charger plus installation — not just the charger unit.
Here's what that looks like with the cheapest chargers, for an applicant who qualifies:
| Charger | Charger Price | Typical Install | Total | After grant (if eligible) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evec VEC01 | £312 | £300–£500 | £612–£812 | £153–£312 |
| Evec VEC03 | £357 | £300–£500 | £657–£857 | £164–£357 |
| VCHRGD Seven Pro | £380 | £300–£500 | £680–£880 | £180–£380 |
What about installation costs?
The charger price is only part of the equation. Installation typically costs between £300 and £800, depending on:
Cable run distance — how far your consumer unit (fuse board) is from the installation point. Longer runs cost more. Consumer unit upgrades — if your fuse board needs additional capacity or an upgrade. Earthing requirements — a PME earthing arrangement may require an additional earth rod (though most modern chargers, including the VCHRGD, have built-in PEN fault protection). Mounting surface — brick is straightforward; render, timber, or concrete may need additional fixings.
The cheapest way to get a home EV charger installed is to combine the Evec VEC01 with a standard installation (short cable run, no consumer unit work), then apply the EV Chargepoint Grant if you qualify. Your total out-of-pocket could be as low as around £153.
Having your own electrician fit it? Order the charger and installation materials together
Each bundle pairs the charger with a consumer unit, cable and fixings, so your electrician can quote for labour only.
Evec VEC01 + installation kit
Evec VEC01 untethered charger with consumer unit, cable and fixings.
VCHRGD Seven Pro + installation kit
VCHRGD Seven Pro untethered charger with consumer unit, cable and fixings.
Browse every bundle in our EV installation kits collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest EV charger in the UK?
The cheapest smart home EV charger is the Evec VEC01 at £312. It's a 7.4kW untethered charger with app control, scheduling, and OCPP compliance.
Can I get a home EV charger for under £500?
Yes — comfortably. Eight of the chargers in the table above are under £500, starting with the Evec VEC01 at £312. See the full comparison table above.
Are cheap EV chargers any good?
Absolutely. All EV chargers sold in the UK must comply with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which mandate smart features like scheduled charging and energy monitoring. The difference between a £312 charger and a £600 charger is usually the brand name, app polish, and extra features like solar integration or smart tariff support — not safety or core functionality.
Should I buy untethered or tethered?
Untethered is cheaper upfront but requires a separate Type 2 cable. Tethered is more convenient — just grab the cable and plug in. If your car came with a Type 2 cable, untethered is the budget-friendly choice. See our tethered vs untethered comparison.
Do cheap EV chargers qualify for the OZEV grant?
Most do, as long as the charger is smart (which all UK chargers must be by law) and the installation is carried out by an OZEV-approved installer. For renters, flat owners and landlords, the grant covers 75% of the combined cost of the charger and installation, up to £500 per socket.
How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home?
Installation typically costs £300–£800, depending on cable run length, consumer unit requirements, and mounting conditions. Read our full EV charger installation guide for a detailed breakdown.
Still not sure which charger is right for you? Browse all our 7kW home EV chargers or check out our 22kW three-phase chargers if you have a three-phase supply.